Draft Week!

We've finally entered draft week. From now until the draft, believe nothing. Actually that's been the case for months. It's just more true now that teams are less than truthful. All lies. Every single thing you hear is a lie. Maybe.

Everyone wants to know, now and always. What will the Minnesota Vikings do?

Here's how this Vikings fan sees the team's first round possibilities as we enter draft week.

Michigan St. cornerback Trae Waynes is my top choice. That's been the case through most of the pre-draft circus. Most mock drafts have settled on Waynes as the Vikings pick as well. That probably kills any chance of it ever happening. Still, it could happen. Who knows?

I'm not so set on Waynes that I'd be devastated with any other selection. It's not wise to become so fixated on a player that the world ends if he's not selected. There are too many variables in the draft. I like several players at #11. It just starts with Waynes. It's nice to have options.

Here are the players that would make this Vikings fan happy at #11 (in no particular order):

Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Vic Beasley, DE/LB, Clemson
Randy Gregory, DE/LB, Nebraska
Brandon Scherff, G, Iowa
La'el Collins, G/T, LSU

USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida edge rusher Dante Fowler would be on this list as well but there's about zero chance that they drop from the first five picks. The same could be said of Cooper and maybe Beasley but there's a least a chance with them. A dreamy one in the case of Cooper.

I don't think that receiver is a tremendous need for the Vikings but Cooper, White, and Parker could be difference-making football players. A young quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater could use as many of those as the Vikings can get on the field. All three would easily fall into the "best player available" category. The same goes for Gregory and Beasley. It would be difficult to pass up that sort of pass rushing talent at #11. Offensive line is probably the area in which the Vikings are in greatest need of improvement. The line play was terrible for much of the 2014 season. A return to health of right guard Brandon Fusco and right tackle Phil Loadholt will help immensely. Releasing left guard Charlie Johnson after the season helped even more. I have faith that last years fifth-round pick David Yankey is ready to compete for the job. If the Vikings pick Scherff or Collins it's a clear indication that Yankey isn't ready. Scherff or Collins would be tremendous additions to the line. The added bonus with both is their ability to play tackle. That would give the Vikings some insurance if left tackle Matt Kalil doesn't rebound from two subpar seasons. The final player on my list of preferred first-round players is Marcus Peters. A cornerback that challenges Waynes in ability but is a bit of a wild card in the character department. He had run-ins with his coaches at Washington and could get a little too enthusiastic on the football field. He was eventually booted from the team during his final season. He returned for the Washington Pro Day so the burnt bridges were mended. Still, he remains and will probably always be a bit of a loose cannon. His cornerback skills are so intriguing. Similar character concerns in college kept Vontaze Burfict from being drafted. The Cincinnati Bengals signed him as an undrafted free agent and he's had few issues in the NFL. As the Bengals defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer seemed to get through to the talented Burfict. As Vikings head coach, perhaps Zimmer could get through to Peters.

The Vikings could trade back in the first round. If the Vikings have fallen for a player that they are certain that they can get later, that's terrific. I have no problem if they can get the player that they like and add an extra pick or two. I never like taking chances with a player that you like but that's one of many reason that I'm sitting on a couch watching the draft. Vikings general manager Rick Spielman traded back a single spot with the Cleveland Browns in 2012 and 2014. They got the player that they like and added a fourth round pick. Perfect. The Browns are sitting at #12 this year. Perfect. But the Browns are probably wise to this ploy by now. Maybe not.

I suppose that if I were to predict a dream draft, rounds 1 through 7, for the Vikings it might go a little something like this:

1. Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
2. Stephone Anthony, LB, Clemson
3. Lynden Trail, DE, Norfolk St.
4. Anthony Harris, S, Virginia
5. Tony Lippett, WR, Michigan St.
7. Jeremiah Poutasi, G, Utah
7. Zach Vigil, LB, Utah St.

Finally, draft week.